Chicago's Anthony McGill to take NY Phil post

Anthony McGill, co-principal clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2004, is moving across the plaza at New York’s Lincoln Center. The Met has confirmed that the Chicago-born McGill, 34, will take a one-year leave of absence beginning in September to play principal clarinet with the New York Philharmonic.

A philharmonic spokesman said that a formal announcement of McGill’s appointment is forthcoming but declined to say when that would be.

McGill will be the second respected clarinetist with close Chicago ties to occupy the first clarinet chair at the New York Philharmonic.

Stephen Williamson is completing a year’s leave from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where he has held the principal clarinet position since 2011, to perform as principal with the philharmonic. He chose not to sign on permanently with that orchestra and will return to the CSO at the start of the 2014-15 season in September, the CSO announced earlier this year. He has cited family reasons for his decision to stay in Chicago.

The philharmonic has had trouble filling the shoes of the legendary clarinetist Stanley Drucker, who stepped down from the orchestra in 2009 after an unprecedented tenure of 60 years. A year before Williamson tried out the post, Ricardo Morales of the Philadelphia Orchestra also played principal clarinet there for a season. Like Williamson, he exercised his option to return to his home base.Clearly the philharmonic is hoping the third time will be the charm.